August 2013 Surgeries

Cinchud

Hi all, I'm scheduled for a bmx with tissue expanders on August 9. I'm really afraid of post-op pain. My ps already gave me a prescription for hydrocodone, but from experience I've found it to be useless for me. What is the best post-op pain medicine?

CarrieFitz41

KimH: omg, I feel like you stepped into my body and wrote MY post! 8/8 BMX w/ TE, same family history and outlook (also similar diagnosis). I think some people don't understand my humor but it's just how I am. YES on the nesting!!! I'm so tired and need to go to bed but want to connect with all of you more as our surgeries loom closer. Rest up ladies, we've got some long journeys ahead......

CarrieFitz41

Laura, I was diagnosed June 13 and was glad to hold off on surgery til Aug for the same reasons! Some thought I was crazy not to want to cut the cancer out asap but I wanted to enjoy some of my summer and for my kids to enjoy it with me! So glad to read posts that reflect similar feelings to mine......

DeliriumPie

Wishing good luck to everyone with surgeries in the next weeks. I had my pre op consult today and am awaiting confirmation of the date for next week. I decided about an hour ago that I am not ready for this. Hearing the surgeon say the words "next week" and letting that sink in have made the whole I have cancer thing real again. During chemo, especially the last two months, things slipped back into feeling almost normal. Not that it was any fun but I was still whole. Now, aside from fearing the surgery itself, I picture myself waking up with no breasts and I just feel so overwhelmed and devastated. I know I will get past this and so many brave ladies have done this and been through worse and more. I can't sleep though and am having a pity party tonight, cant atop being weepy. This board has been such a great haven and resource since the day I found the lump. Thank you to all for that.

bamboogirl

hi Ladies, I had a BMX on May 7. I was wondering if anyone out there would like to inherit my Amoena Post Surgical Camisole (size small) with zip up front, pockets for 2 drains and puffy forms? I only used it for a couple of weeks at the most. It's in great condition. I will mail it to you. PM me if you are interested. Best of luck to you all. You can get through this. 

Here's a link to the product: 

http://www.amoena.us/Products/Recovery-Care/Recovery-Garments/Hannah-Camisole-2860/Hannah-2860-white

Tracy516

My surgery is on August 15th! Bilateral mastectomy w/ DIEP flap breast reduction and lift!

Rosamond

Having a SNB on Wed, 8/7. If nodes are clear, I can have immediate implant reconstruction with my nipple and skin sparing mastectomy on 8/13 or 8/14 (waiting for confirmation of date as both the BS and the PS are squeezing me in before vacation). Up until two days ago, I thought I only had DCIS. The IDC was found after a second biopsy I asked for - thought I might still be able to get a lumpectomy - extensive DCIS, but the real kicker is the IDC shows a high Ki-67 (30%). Chemo will be part of the plan. Trying to stay calm, but it's difficult as I've been in the "early days" of diagnosis for 8 weeks now, and news keeps getting worse. I am an elementary principal and the primary wage earner in my family. Worried about not being able to work through an aggressive plan of chemo. Won't get BRCA test back until after surgery. No history of BC or ovarian in family, but my dad and three of his four brothers have had prostate cancer, one in his 50s. This might mean BRCA-2, which also relates to the Luminal B they think I have.



A lot to process, and I have to get ready for surgery, too!

babs6287

Don't freak out. I was diagnosed on 8/17 and had my mastecomy just a week later and 3 weeks later I started my chemo.   I had dose dense AC and then T and worked through the whole thing.  I would suggest Friday afternoon chemo treatments so you can veg out on the weekend and then can be ready for Monday AMs.  Find a routine that works for you -that will help!  Contact me if you have any questions.

honeybair

I am scheduled for a unilateral MX on Aug 19th. I completed chemo in June and am now on Herceptin.  During Taxol treatments I developed a blood clot and have to take medication for that.  Before the surgery I will have to give myself Lovenox injections twice a day and then quit 24 hours befor surgery.  I also will have all my lymph nodes removed.  I am not sleeping well because of fears pertaining to this surgery.  Anyone else had clotting issues and if so, how have you dealt with it?  This is my second go-round with cancer after being treated for DCIS, stage 0 and being cancer-free for 11 years.  My chemo has shrunk my large lymph node tumor somewhat, but there is still no cancer that can be detected in my breast.  Modified radical mastectomy is the standard procedure for recurrent so I have been told by both my surgeon and oncologist.  I am so dreading what lies ahead.

Rosamond

Thanks, babs6287. After talking to a couple of friends who have been through it, I am much more hopeful.



Honeybair, a friend of mine who has had a very successful outcome recommended that I regard the operation as a sacred ritual to remove the cancer, I know that may sound a little new-aged, but she gave herself a loving bath the night before, then said goodbye and thank you to her breast. She asked the docs for a moment of silence before the surgery and gave it all up to a higher power.



You must trust the team working on you and expect the most positive outcome.

babs6287

Honeybair I had a mastectomy with full lymph node dissection in 8/12.  I was told that I'd be out of work 2 weeks and could develop lymphedema.  Well, I was back at work 4 days later and never had any issues.  Listen to what the drs tell you to do and you should do just fine.  Stay positive!

patsback

I was diagnosed on June 6th, had a lumpectomy and sentinal node biopsy on June 25th.  I am now scheduled to have a mastectomy and axillary lymph node dissection tomorrow.  I'm okay with the surgery, it's the drains afterwards that I'm freaked out about...not to mention the chemo and radiation treatments afterwards.  

I just wanted to say that, in my eyes, you are all strong women, and reading these posts have given me some comfort in easing some of my questions.

Good luck to all of you.

myers421

Hi There! July 11th bmx for me, and do NOT be freaked out about the drains the only thing they are is ANNOYING!!  My drains were in for 2 1/2 weeks just crazzzy uncomfortable but very doable.  and..... that was honestly the worst part of the entire procedure.  You got this!!

MAPBB

Hi GrammaB,

Our dates are similar maybe we can go through this together.  I'm scheduled for the 16th.  Fortunately, no cancer for me only a serious, serious family history (2 sisters, father, cousin) plus BRCA2 positive.  Tough decision but it's made. I'm still trying to decide whether to do nipple sparing or simply skin sparing.  I'd like to get a reduction in size and a large lift and to save the nipple and do that, it is two surgeries.  I'm terrrified enough of one surgery that my decision is between keeping the nipples and remaining saggy or removing the nipples and getting the lift and the reduction in one surgery.

I hate waiting also and have been working on giving up caffeine because I suffer my migraines and I am not the first surgery.

I haven't prepared any food but am thinking about clothing.  

BBB

honeybair

Thanks to all of you for your kind words of encouragement.  Saw my sweet MO today and she assured me that I would do well and be fine, that I was very strong and have a healthy heart.  I am so blessed to have her as my doctor and to like her so much.

grammaB

Hi MAPBB,

I'll send healing thoughts your way on the 16th.  By then I should be home and hopefully up and around.  I live alone (in MT) my kids are in CA.  My daughter leaves on the 15th sadly the day after I get home. My son can't get here until the 26th, but that is just in time to get me to some post op appointments.  

I worry a bit about the time I am all on my own (well except for my cat).  That is why I have prepared meals in the freezer for breakfasts and dinner.  As a diabetic, I eat a low carb/high fat ketogenic diet and so can't just open a can or frozen meal.  All food is cooked fresh.  I reorganized the kitchen putting all the daily dishes on the lower shelves and will set out pots and pans on the counter that I use regularly.  Maybe a little OCD, but I feel better knowing everything is taken care of.

Oddly the surgery doesn't worry me, the drains did until I read enough here on this site that they really are more a nuisance than anything else.  I am not doing any recon so will have no further surgeries to worry about.  So all in all, I am pretty good.....well except for the expected nervousness around any surgical proceedure.

I have a Jacki that a very nice lady here mailed me for right after surgery, I just might even wear it to the hospital! It is so soft and cuddly.  I also picked up 2 Amoena camis with pockets for the drains.  That is about all I've done for clothing other than searching out a couple of pairs of satin pj bottoms to make sliding out of my recliner (new!) or bed easier. 

I know we'll all do fine.  It is human nature to have some fears but those will pass.  I just keep focused on coming home from the hospital with it all behind me!!

Hugs

songcat24

Hi August Sisters, I'm scheduled for a single mastectomy with immediate DIEP reconstruction on August 8th. I was diagnosed back in February at the age of 30. I did fertility preservation before starting neoadjuvant chemo. Now it's onto surgery, possibly followed by radiation. It feels like so much time has passed since my diagnosis and upcoming surgery. Now that it's finally here, I'm really nervous!

No suspicious areas have been found in my other breast or in my lymph nodes, and my genetic testing came back negative. For these reasons, I opted for the single mastectomy. I also hope to breast feed someday with my healthy breast if I am still able to have children after all of this. (My husband and I were talking about starting a family before I got the diagnosis.) I guess we all have to weigh the options and choose what feels right for us.

Kim, lahela, CarrieFitz41 - We all share the August 8th for our surgeries. Not that I would wish this on anyone, but since we have to do this, it's good to know we aren't going through it alone.

So nervous! Wishing the best for everyone!

coffeelatte

Good luck ladies. I too have an upcoming surgery August 13. I need to get better at posting so I can stay connected. I am in shock since diagnosis and can't seem to get my head around it all to make proper decisions. I met with a PS yesterday and after being told more than I ever wanted to know about reconstruction, which I really wanted, I find myself backing out due to fear of the expanders, pain, more surgery, etc. I wish I were braver like so many of the women I read about here. I hate feeling like everything is surreal and I can' t snap out of it. Must be the way I need to get through. I love reading everyone's stories and information. It has helped more than you will ever know.

grammaB

coffeelatte, we share the surgery day!  I decided almost immediately after I decided to have the BMX that I was not going to do any recon.  But I'm 64 so having recon is not all that important to me.  All I knew was I wanted this cancer out of my body, did not want to have to worry about it coming back on the other side, and I wanted the least amount of surgery possible.

I know it is scary, I won't say I'm not scared about it, but I feel comfortable with my decision and I think this anxiety/nervousness is just a natural part of the process. I just want it behind me and to begin the healing process!

Rosamond

On my way, my sister driving, for sentinel node removal this morning before UMX next Wed, the 14th. Immediate recon options depend on this result. Wish me luck...checking into the hospital in 15 mins!

MAPBB

Rosamond,

Good luck and let us know.  You'll do great.

mmadrigal05

5 days post lat flap surgery. So far so good. They do get easier each time. Not really the "experience" I was looking for to restart my life but it's definitely teaching me to believe in myself, show myself some love, and that I'm stronger than anything cancer has done to me. Cancer will not win the war!



Good luck ladies! U got this!!!!



Much love to each and every one of u:)

jbdayton

Just got home from my PS appointment.  I will be having a BMX on August 26 with tissue expanders.  Reconstruction will be in a couple of months if radiation is not needed.  My BS does not anticiapate needing radiation since there is no visible tumor left after chemo.  Of course we will have to wait for final pathology to be absolutely sure.  At the moment I am thinking I will do a DIEP.  Glad these decisions are finalized.  Now to take a deep breath and prepare for surgery and recovery.

Songcat, Cinchud and Carrie - prayers for your surgeries this week. 

Michele - so glad you are doing good at 5 days out.  Almost 2 years is a long time to still be dealing with this. 

Rosamond- hope you got the all clear on the node and are scheduled for immediate recon. 

Hugs to everyone as they go through this week whether surgery, recovery or still planning. 

grammaB

Hope all goes well Rosamond and the nodes are clear.

I'm having my SNB @ 8AM my BMX is scheduled for 10AM the same day (13th).  I'd hate to have to go twice to get it all done!

babs6287

Jbdayton

My surgery is just 3 days after yours.  Good luck!!!!

Rosamond

Thanks, all! My procedure went well. Surgeon took out 3 healthy-looking nodes which will be tested. Hoping for results on Friday. Feels good to be on my way to treatment, finally, after thinking I had DCIS for 7 weeks, only to get 2nd biopsy results last Thursday with new IDC diagnosis creeping out of the extensive DCIS.



Good luck to all, and appreciate everyone's support and updates. So wonderful to be in this together, and not alone!

KBeee

Greetings! I will jump in and join you. I'll probably be learning from all of you. I have my bilateral mastectomy scheduled for August 27. I am 43 and have 3 kids. My cancer is stage 1 for now, IDC. It's on the right side, but I opted for bilateral since I have a family history, and just don't care to go through this again. I will have immediate placing of spacers as well. I am thin, so the other procedures were not options.

Rosamond

Welcome, KBeee!



My mastectomy will be on the right side. No family history here, and they feel pretty confident about the left side right now. Even though the other surgeries could be options for me, I have already decided that if the tumors have made it to my nodes, I will go flat on one side, use a prosethes, and get an amazing tattoo over the scars someday.



If my nodes are (hopefully) clean, I will be getting a nipple and skin-sparing mastectomy with an immediate implant.



Surgery in a week!

laura11103

Just an update, had my BMX yesterday morning and got discharged today!!!  The SLNB was negative and surgery went great they said, only took 4 hours and I had a lot of skin thanks to breastfeeding so all is good.  I was pretty miserable yesterday from the side effects of the anesthesia but felt so much better today and now home and feeling more normal than I could've imagined, my husband flushes my drains for me, he's amazing...  so glad this part is over, although still in pain I think I won't even need vicodine :-)

Beesie

Laura, I'm glad to hear that the surgery is over and it went well.  I had the same problems with anesthesia - I was nauseous and very woozy that first night (which made for an interesting reaction when I went to the bathroom and blue pee came out).  But I was fine by the next day and happy to go home. 

It sounds like you are doing great!  Hope the rest of your recovery goes just as well!